Causes of Lost Power to GFCI Outlets

How to Fix a GFI Outlet Electrical Repairs: Why does my GFCI Outlet Circuit loose power and stop working?

I have a circuit that loses power.

There is a GFI on the circuit.

The breaker doesn’t trip nor does the GFI but the circuit loses power.

This electrical question came from: Bruce, a Homeowner from Edna, Texas.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical repairs question Bruce.

Troubleshooting a Bad GFCI Outlet

Application: Wiring or Replacing a GFI Outlet.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the number of outlets that will be replaced.
Precaution: Identify the outlet circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional GFCI outlet wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Testing and Replacing a GFCI Outlet

Bruce, the GFCI itself may be bad and need to be replaced.

What you are describing is one symptom of a bad GFCI outlet or one that has been wired incorrectly.

The GFCI outlet should be tested while the circuit is on by pressing the TEST and RESET buttons.

If the testing process does not restore or provide power to the outlet then the GFCI outlet is faulty.

Realistically, most GFCI outlets do not last forever and may need replacing.

Recommendation: Replace the GFI outlet with one that has the same amperage rating.

More about Wiring GFCI Outlets

The features and benefits of GFCI outlets and receptacles will give you a clear understanding of the importance why these safety devices are required by code to help protect you and your family against accidental electrical shock hazards.

Lost PowerTroubleshooting Lost Power
Licensed Electrician Reveals the Secrets of Successful Electrical Troubleshooting Methods used to solve the majority of the home electrical problems and wiring failures encountered.

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets
UL Listed
Light indicates if wiring is incorrect
Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

I’m replacing a duplex receptacle with a GFI with another duplex receptacle to be protected. It’s not working. I think the problem is determining which of the lines coming into the initial box where the GFI goes is hot. How do I identify which is the hot line coming in?
Thanks!

Hi David,How to Identify the GFI Line Cable Circuit Wires
If the incoming circuit cable has not been identified then the electrician uses a voltage tester to test the circuit wiring. When wiring a GFI outlet it is essential to have the correct Line and Load wiring configurations, otherwise the GFI outlet will not work right, and the additional outlets wired into the circuit will not have GFCI protection.
I hope this helps,
Dave